Meet the team
Directors
Bob Bush
Board Chair
Bob Bush is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan and has lived in Richmond,
VA. since 1992. Since 1986 and retiring in 2025, he has worked for Johnson
and Johnson in multiple sales leadership roles. He is a member of Grove
Ave. Baptist Church where he has served in multiple lay leadership
functions. Bob received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at
Hope College in Holland, Michigan and his Masters of Business Administration
from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA.
Mark Holpe
Treasurer
- Born 1951 Roanoke, VA
- Graduated 1973 UR with accounting degree
- Graduated 1975 W&M with MBBA
- CPA passed 1980
- Worked in dept store/retail financial management until 1995
- Owner of seven small service businesses until 2012
- Retired 2012
Kenneth Barbour
Board Member
Pastor Kenneth is truly a leader with a passion to come into the fullness of the Most High God.
Pastor Barbour was licensed and ordained in 1989 by Drs. Leo and Elaine Hackett, while serving as Assistant Pastor at Elohim Outreach Christian Center. Pastor Barbour attended Christian Life School of Theology where he received his degree in 1999. He founded Establish Covenant Ministries in 2000 in Richmond, Virginia.
There's more! click here
Pastor Barbour along with Mr. Harry Greene (KLM Board Member) goes into the Richmond Justice Center every Monday and Thursday to minister. His goal is to bring men to Christ. Thus providing men with the support and social skills needed to help restore them successfully back into the community and to help rebuild relationships with their families.
Pastor Barbour has been serving within the Richmond City Jail and the Justice Center for 17 years.
Pastor Barbour now serves as Executive Director for Kingdom Life Ministry and as a board member.
Dr. Eric de Nijs
Board Member
Dr. Eric de Nijs is an executive coach with over 25 years of experience helping people and organizations achieve improved performance. His background includes working with CEOs, senior and middle managers, high potentials, and key individual contributors.
There's more! click here
Eric’s background includes experience in diverse industries such as food, consumer products, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare (including pharmaceuticals), defense, energy, and County and Federal governments. He has worked with individuals and teams at all levels in Western and Eastern Europe, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Central and South America, Indonesia, and Australia.
As a leadership coach, Eric works with CEOs, senior level executives, department managers and teams to maximize leadership effectiveness and the culture of the organization. He also helps individuals and organizations in developing new capacities and new perspectives on their resources, capabilities, opportunities and problems. His background in continuous improvement and coaching lends to a unique experience and approach in solving problems and developing leaders.
Dr. de Nijs has written a book titled, “Playing in a Bigger Space,” is co-author of “Authentic Communication” and is a contributing author of “Excellence in Leadership Coaching.” Dr. de Nijs is a part-time instructor and co-program director of Georgetown University’s Leadership Coaching program and an adjunct faculty member of the Center for Creative Leadership..
Melody C. Gratic, M.A. Ed
Board Member
Melody C. Gratic is a certified John Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer and Speaker, and Certified Behavioral Analysis Trainer and Consultant. She is a phenomenal strategic thinker, passionate motivational speaker and servant leader, well-known for connecting with a multicultural, multigenerational and global workforce. Melody Gratic founded XcelMil, LLC on the premise of providing exceptional, value-based, and relevant services to our stakeholders and partners that significantly impact business and personal transformation.
There's more! click here
Melody Gratic retired from the U.S. Army with 24 years of active service. She is most proud and honored to have served at the White House Transportation Agency under President George Bush, Jr. and President Barak Obama and US Army Garrison Brussels in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. She has supervised and trained countless service members on critical hard and soft skills. Projects she managed include reports to Installation Management Command Europe Operations; US Army Garrison Benelux; Senior Officer and Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Development Workshops, Off-sites and Team-building Activities.
Melody has served as a Team Lead/Training Coordinator on several missions trips to Mozambique, Africa, Onnville, Haiti, and Rancho de Sus, Mexico.
Melody serves as a Board Member for Kingdom Life Ministry Board of Directors in Richmond, Virginia. The vision of KLM is to break the cycle of addiction, one life at a time, through biblically-based programs. The mission of KLM is to "help people transform their defining moments in life."
Melody is the current CEO and Founder of XcelMil, LLC, An Executive Management Consulting Firm specializing in leadership development, business transformation, coaching, professional administrative and transcription services. Under her leadership, XcelMil, LLC supports the staff at Virginia Career Works and their affiliate programs. She is an active member of the Fredericksburg Society of Human Resources; Association for Talent Development; and The Women's Business Enterprise National Council.
Melody Gratic currently collaborates with Government Contractors in the Professional Services Industry on projects related to multiple generations in the workplace specifically, Millennials, diversity and inclusion, employee engagement and retention, workplace conflict and veteran/military spouse hiring initiatives.
Melody Gratic received a Master of Educational Leadership in Administration from Trident International University. She received an undergraduate from Nazarene Bible College. She has also reviewed, edited and provided insight to a number of published authors. She is a proud wife, godmother, aunt and resides in the Northern Virginia area.
Fun Fact: During her leisure time, Melody enjoys spending time with her husband, reading, listening to music, and traveling to exotic locations around the world.
Steven Gratic
Board Member
- Born in Winnsboro, SC (1970)
- Served 24 years in the United States Army (July 1988 to Sept 2012)
- Graduated 2005 BA Business Administration, Columbia College, MO
- Graduated 2010 MBA, Jones International University
- Graduated 2019 Master's Degree Information Technology, Keller School of Management
- Currently works as a Senior Technical Trainer in Arlington, VA
Edward Rick
Board Member
Edward Rick is an Executive Vice President and Director of Institutional Services at Carillon Tower Advisors, an asset management firm based in St. Petersburg, Florida. He has been involved with Kingdom Life Ministry since meeting several members of the program in 2010. He attends Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida where he serves in the Children’s Ministry with his wife, Lorrie and daughter, Elena.
Leadership
Pastor Kenneth Barbour
Executive Director
Pastor Kenneth is truly a leader with a passion to come into the fullness of the Most High God.
Pastor Barbour was licensed and ordained in 1989 by Drs. Leo and Elaine Hackett, while serving as Assistant Pastor at Elohim Outreach Christian Center. Pastor Barbour attended Christian Life School of Theology where he received his degree in 1999.
There's more! click here
He founded Establish Covenant Ministries in 2000 in Richmond, Virginia.
Pastor Barbour along with Mr. Harry Greene (KLM Board Member) goes into the Richmond Justice Center every Monday and Thursday to minister. His goal is to bring men to Christ. Thus providing men with the support and social skills needed to help restore them successfully back into the community and to help rebuild relationships with their families.
Pastor Barbour has been serving within the Richmond City Jail and the Justice Center for 17 years.
Pastor Barbour now serves as Executive Director for Kingdom Life Ministry and as a board member.
Gilbert Howard
House Manager
More details coming soon
Darryl Cousins
House Manager
More details coming soon
Bob Bush
Board Chair
Bob Bush is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan and has lived in Richmond,
VA. since 1992. Since 1986 and retiring in 2025, he has worked for Johnson
and Johnson in multiple sales leadership roles. He is a member of Grove
Ave. Baptist Church where he has served in multiple lay leadership
functions. Bob received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at
Hope College in Holland, Michigan and his Masters of Business Administration
from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA.
Mark Holpe
Treasurer
- Born 1951 Roanoke, VA
- Graduated 1973 UR with accounting degree
- Graduated 1975 W&M with MBBA
- CPA passed 1980
- Worked in dept store/retail financial management until 1995
- Owner of seven small service businesses until 2012
- Retired 2012
Kenneth Barbour
Board Member
Pastor Kenneth is truly a leader with a passion to come into the fullness of the Most High God.
Pastor Barbour was licensed and ordained in 1989 by Drs. Leo and Elaine Hackett, while serving as Assistant Pastor at Elohim Outreach Christian Center. Pastor Barbour attended Christian Life School of Theology where he received his degree in 1999. He founded Establish Covenant Ministries in 2000 in Richmond, Virginia.
There's more! click here
Pastor Barbour along with Mr. Harry Greene (KLM Board Member) goes into the Richmond Justice Center every Monday and Thursday to minister. His goal is to bring men to Christ. Thus providing men with the support and social skills needed to help restore them successfully back into the community and to help rebuild relationships with their families.
Pastor Barbour has been serving within the Richmond City Jail and the Justice Center for 17 years.
Pastor Barbour now serves as Executive Director for Kingdom Life Ministry and as a board member.
Dr. Eric de Nijs
Board Member
Dr. Eric de Nijs is an executive coach with over 25 years of experience helping people and organizations achieve improved performance. His background includes working with CEOs, senior and middle managers, high potentials, and key individual contributors.
There's more! click here
Eric’s background includes experience in diverse industries such as food, consumer products, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare (including pharmaceuticals), defense, energy, and County and Federal governments. He has worked with individuals and teams at all levels in Western and Eastern Europe, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Central and South America, Indonesia, and Australia.
As a leadership coach, Eric works with CEOs, senior level executives, department managers and teams to maximize leadership effectiveness and the culture of the organization. He also helps individuals and organizations in developing new capacities and new perspectives on their resources, capabilities, opportunities and problems. His background in continuous improvement and coaching lends to a unique experience and approach in solving problems and developing leaders.
Dr. de Nijs has written a book titled, “Playing in a Bigger Space,” is co-author of “Authentic Communication” and is a contributing author of “Excellence in Leadership Coaching.” Dr. de Nijs is a part-time instructor and co-program director of Georgetown University’s Leadership Coaching program and an adjunct faculty member of the Center for Creative Leadership..
Melody C. Gratic, M.A. Ed
Board Member
Melody C. Gratic is a certified John Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer and Speaker, and Certified Behavioral Analysis Trainer and Consultant. She is a phenomenal strategic thinker, passionate motivational speaker and servant leader, well-known for connecting with a multicultural, multigenerational and global workforce. Melody Gratic founded XcelMil, LLC on the premise of providing exceptional, value-based, and relevant services to our stakeholders and partners that significantly impact business and personal transformation.
There's more! click here
Melody Gratic retired from the U.S. Army with 24 years of active service. She is most proud and honored to have served at the White House Transportation Agency under President George Bush, Jr. and President Barak Obama and US Army Garrison Brussels in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. She has supervised and trained countless service members on critical hard and soft skills. Projects she managed include reports to Installation Management Command Europe Operations; US Army Garrison Benelux; Senior Officer and Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Development Workshops, Off-sites and Team-building Activities.
Melody has served as a Team Lead/Training Coordinator on several missions trips to Mozambique, Africa, Onnville, Haiti, and Rancho de Sus, Mexico.
Melody serves as a Board Member for Kingdom Life Ministry Board of Directors in Richmond, Virginia. The vision of KLM is to break the cycle of addiction, one life at a time, through biblically-based programs. The mission of KLM is to "help people transform their defining moments in life."
Melody is the current CEO and Founder of XcelMil, LLC, An Executive Management Consulting Firm specializing in leadership development, business transformation, coaching, professional administrative and transcription services. Under her leadership, XcelMil, LLC supports the staff at Virginia Career Works and their affiliate programs. She is an active member of the Fredericksburg Society of Human Resources; Association for Talent Development; and The Women's Business Enterprise National Council.
Melody Gratic currently collaborates with Government Contractors in the Professional Services Industry on projects related to multiple generations in the workplace specifically, Millennials, diversity and inclusion, employee engagement and retention, workplace conflict and veteran/military spouse hiring initiatives.
Melody Gratic received a Master of Educational Leadership in Administration from Trident International University. She received an undergraduate from Nazarene Bible College. She has also reviewed, edited and provided insight to a number of published authors. She is a proud wife, godmother, aunt and resides in the Northern Virginia area.
Fun Fact: During her leisure time, Melody enjoys spending time with her husband, reading, listening to music, and traveling to exotic locations around the world.
Steven Gratic
Board Member
- Born in Winnsboro, SC (1970)
- Served 24 years in the United States Army (July 1988 to Sept 2012)
- Graduated 2005 BA Business Administration, Columbia College, MO
- Graduated 2010 MBA, Jones International University
- Graduated 2019 Master's Degree Information Technology, Keller School of Management
- Currently works as a Senior Technical Trainer in Arlington, VA
Edward Rick
Board Member
Edward Rick is an Executive Vice President and Director of Institutional Services at Carillon Tower Advisors, an asset management firm based in St. Petersburg, Florida. He has been involved with Kingdom Life Ministry since meeting several members of the program in 2010. He attends Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida where he serves in the Children’s Ministry with his wife, Lorrie and daughter, Elena.
Pastor Kenneth Barbour
Executive Director
Pastor Kenneth is truly a leader with a passion to come into the fullness of the Most High God.
Pastor Barbour was licensed and ordained in 1989 by Drs. Leo and Elaine Hackett, while serving as Assistant Pastor at Elohim Outreach Christian Center. Pastor Barbour attended Christian Life School of Theology where he received his degree in 1999.
There's more! click here
He founded Establish Covenant Ministries in 2000 in Richmond, Virginia.
Pastor Barbour along with Mr. Harry Greene (KLM Board Member) goes into the Richmond Justice Center every Monday and Thursday to minister. His goal is to bring men to Christ. Thus providing men with the support and social skills needed to help restore them successfully back into the community and to help rebuild relationships with their families.
Pastor Barbour has been serving within the Richmond City Jail and the Justice Center for 17 years.
Pastor Barbour now serves as Executive Director for Kingdom Life Ministry and as a board member.
Gilbert Howard
House Manager
More details coming soon
Darryl Cousins
House Manager
More details coming soon